Toe-clip for velocipede-pedals



Patented Feb. .7, I899.

w. J. GBOTENHUIS. TUE CLIP FOR VELOOIPEDE PEDALS.

(Application filed. Sept. '1, 1897.5

(No Model.)-

' NITED STATES WILLIAM J. GROTENHUIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TOE-CLIP FOR VELOClPEDE-PEDALS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 618,937, dated February'7, 1899.

Application filed September 7,1897- Serial No- 650 736. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern/.- I

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. GROTEN- HUIS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toe-Clipsfor Velocipede-Pedals, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of toeclips which are used inconnection with the pedals of bicycles, tricycles, and similar vehicles,and has for its object the providing of a simple, economical, andefficient toe-clip.

The invention consists principally in the combination of a metal plateadapted to be secured to a pedal anda cover portion formed of leather orsimilar material held in position by means of elastic strips of metal.

The invention consists, further, in the combination of a metal plateadapted to be adj ustably secured to a pedal and a cover portion formedof leather or similar material and held in position by elastic strips ofmetal, the free ends of which are secured to the leather cover and theother ends to the metal plate.

The invention consists, further and finally,

in the features, combinations, and details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a completetoe-clip embodying my improvements; Fig. 2, a plan viewof the same,looking at it from the top; Fig. 3, a plan view looking at it from thebottom, and Fig. 4 an end view.

In the art to which this invention relates it is well known that therider of a bicycle, tricycle,or similar vehicle experiences considerabledifficulty in keeping his or her feet on the pedals, especially whenriding over small obstructions, such as pebbles and loose dirt roads. Inorder to overcome this objection, various styles of toe-clips have beendesigned, the majority of which are composed of metal, and which areobjectionable in that they bear on the tender part of the feet, much tothe annoyance and discomfort of the rider, as well as the destruction ofhis shoes. There is another class of toe-clips in which leather has beenused, but which is objectionable in that it is liable to stretch duringthe lifting motion of the feet and during damp weather sags to such anextent as to make it objectionable in that the feet cannot be readilyinserted in the pedals.

The principal object of myinvention, therefore, is to remove theobjections existing in the prior art and to provide atoe-clip,preferably an adjustable one, that may be taken off or placed on anordinary pedal and-which will be economical to construct and repair andefficient in operation.

In constructing a toe-clip in accordance with myim provements I makeaplate A,which is intended to be arranged in a flat plane and which isprovided with a bracket or lug portionB, bent at right angles to theplate. This lug portion is provided with a slot 0, through which a screwmay be'passed for the purpose of adj ustably securing the plate to thepedal portion D, as shown in Fig. 1.

, In order to limit the position of the foot on the pedal and preventits slipping forward too far, the front end of the plate is providedwith two upturned lips E, against which the toe of the shoe may impingeand prevent the shoe from coming too far forward.

In order to form a lifting portion for the clip, as Well as to assistkeeping the foot in position from lateral movement, a cover portion F isprovided of suitable leather or-similar yielding material, such as feltor rubber. This yielding cover is preferably slitted longitudinally, oneend of each piece being riveted or otherwise secured to the metal plate,while the free ends are perforated and provided with eyelets, so that alace may be 1 passed therethrough for the purpose of adj usting thecover to any sized foot.

The leather cover, if used alone, would be objectionable in that itwould soon stretch, become limp, and in damp weather sag to such anextent as to render it practically useless. In order to overcome thisobjection, I prefer to provide two elastic strips of metal G, which haveone end preferably secured to the metal plate through the leather andthe opposite or free ends bent backwardly and secured to the cover atornear the free ends of the cover by means of rivets or eyelets.

The advantages of a toe-clip constructed in which permits it at alltimes to be easily withdrawn and at the same time protecting the footfrom injury and the riders shoe from being impaired.

WVhile I have described my invention with more or less min uteness asregards details of construction and arrangement and as being embodied incertain precise forms, I do not desire to be limited thereto unduly orany more than is pointed out in the claims. On the contrary, Icontemplate all proper changes in form, construction, and arrangement,the omission of immaterial elements, and the sub stitution ofequivalents, as circumstances may suggest or necessity render expedient.

I claim- 1. A toe-clip for velocipede-pedals consisting of a metalbase-plate, a cover portion secured thereto and formed of leather orsimilar yielding material, and a metal strip or strips secured to thebase-plate bent upwardly and over the cover portion and secured theretonear its upper edge to assist in maintaining it in operative position,substantially as described.

2. A toe-clip for velocipede-pedals consisting of a metal base-plate, acover portion secured thereto and formed of leather or similar yieldingmaterial, and elastic strips of metal secured at one end to thebase-plate bent upward and over the cover portion and secured at theirfree ends to the cover portion to assist in maintaining it in operativeposition, substantially as described.

3. A toe-clip for velocipede-pedals consisting of a metal base-plateadapted to be adj ustably secured to a pedal, a cover portion di videdlongitudinally and each piece secured at one end to the base-plate andprovided with perforations at or near their free ends, a lace passedthrough such perforations to secure the free endsof the cover togetherand an elastic strip of metal for each half of the cover secured at oneend to the base-plate and passed up and over the cover and secured attheir free ends to the cover near its rear edge, substantially asdescribed.

WILLIAM J. GROTENHUIS.

lVitnesses:

JAMES BUoKLEY, EMIL THOMPSON.

